Women's Hats and Hairstyles in 1920s America

Women’s hair, hats and hairstyles in 1920s America were as bold and daring as the roaring 20s women themselves. The 1920s was a time of unprecedented change, especially for women. The Great War had left many women with newfound independence and confidence while also giving them new suffrage rights. And while the Roaring Twenties have often been seen as a period of hedonism and excess, it was also a time when women could dress however they liked without fear of reprisal. The result was a decade filled with hats so large they could not be kept indoors, hairstyles so exaggerated they could only be worn once, and an explosion of colors that are still considered daring today. Keep reading to find out more about Women’s Hats and Hairstyles in 1920s America.

1920s Hairstyles

The most notable aspect of 1920s hairstyles is how bold and daring they were. Women were no longer confined to long, flowing tresses and low-cut necklines. They now had the freedom to experiment with different styles, colors and cuts. One of the most popular hair colors of the era was red, a trend which can be attributed to the rise in flapper culture. Women’s hats were no longer small or demure either. Giant feathered hats were now the norm and, as women were no longer expected to cover their heads while indoors, they often had to be kept out of the house. Bobs were also very popular during the 1920s. The Great War had given women the chance to cut their hair short and experiment with a new, more masculine look. As the decade progressed, however, more and more women began to grow their hair longer again. There was also a rise in popularity of the shing-bang, a hairstyle that is a cross between bangs and a bob.

1920s Women’s Hats

One of the most notable aspects of 1920s women’s hats is how large they were. When a woman put on her hat, she was essentially saying “leave me be”. These were not hats that were designed to be worn indoors. They were designed to be worn outdoors and seen from afar. There were many different styles of hat during the 1920s, but the most notable are the cloche, the toque, and the turban. The cloche was essentially a bell-shaped hat. It was made of fabric and had a band that went around the head. These hats were either worn slightly tilted or completely straight across the forehead. The toque was made of fur or fabric and was worn tilted over one eye. The turban was a large head covering that was tied around the head. It was extremely popular during the 1920s. It was made of fabric or silk and could be tied in a variety of ways.

Decade of Color

The 1920s was a decade of color. Women were no longer afraid to wear bright colors as much as they were in the 1910s. The Roaring Twenties was also the decade when women began coloring their hair in new and daring ways. During the 1920s, women’s fashion was a reflection of their bold and confident personalities. They were no longer willing to be seen as submissive housewives. Instead, they were wearing daring clothing and making bold fashion choices. They even began dying their hair in brighter colors as a way to express their individuality.

Roller Coaster Braids

Roller coasters are a type of braided hairstyle that remained popular during the 1920s. This hairstyle is very large and dramatic and is typically done with a single braid. This braid is then wrapped around the head and pinned so that the braid creates a large, looping bun. This bun is then wrapped with hairpins or hairnets to keep it in place.

Straight From the Orient

1920s women’s hairstyles often took inspiration from the Orient. This was especially true when it came to braiding. Women often braided their hair in elaborate designs that took a long time to complete. This oriental style of braiding is also known as the Chinese or Japanese look and was extremely popular during the 1920s. The braiding could either be very basic or intricate and detailed. Women who wanted to try oriental hairstyles could choose from braids like the waterfall braid, the fishtail braid, and the French braid. The waterfall braid is a simple braid that starts on one side of the head and goes all the way to the other side. The fishtail braid is a variation on the waterfall braid. Instead of going straight down, the braiding turns back halfway through. The French braid is a very intricate braid that is done by looping hair around.

Conclusion

The 1920s were a time of bold change and experimentation. Women were no longer confined to long, flowing hair or demure, modest fashion choices. They now had the freedom to be bold and daring in both their hairstyles and fashion choices. There was also a rise in popularity of bold hair colors, from blonde to to red. Women of the 1920s were confident and daring, and their choice in fashion was a reflection of those traits.